Covered retainer for segmented annular heat shield

ABSTRACT

A retainer for a segmented annular heat shield of a wheel includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. Both the first end and the second end are configured to be coupled to at least one of the wheel and a torque bar. Further, the body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and secure a respective heat shield segment of the segmented annular heat shield. Also, the retainer includes a cover coupled to and extending over at least the body, with an air gap being defined between the body and the cover.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wheel assemblies, and morespecifically to a cover coupled to a retainer for a segmented annularheat shield of a wheel assembly.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft typically include landing gear for supporting the aircraftabove a ground surface and for allowing the aircraft to move relative tothe ground surface while remaining supported by the ground surface. Thelanding gear may include one or more wheel assemblies. Most wheelassemblies include a brake assembly to decelerate or park the aircraft.Aircraft braking, especially during landing, tends to generatesignificant heat that can damage components of the wheel assembly ifsuch components are not properly shielded. While annular heat shieldsprovide thermal protection, the logistics of assembling, repairing,and/or replacing conventional annular heat shields are burdensome.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a retainer for asegmented annular heat shield of a wheel. The retainer may include afirst end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body extendingbetween the first end and the second end. Both the first end and thesecond end may be configured to be coupled to at least one of the wheeland a torque bar. Further, the body may include opposing longitudinalsides configured to respectively engage and secure a respective heatshield segment of the segmented annular heat shield. Also, the retainermay include a cover coupled to and extending over at least the body,with an air gap being defined between the body and the cover.

In various embodiments, each of the opposing longitudinal sidescomprises a groove for receiving an edge of the respective heat shieldsegment. In various embodiments, the cover includes opposinglongitudinal edges that respective wrap-around and are disposed withinthe groove. In various embodiments, the cover is detachably coupled tothe body, and thus extends between the first end and the second end. Invarious embodiments, the cover is configured to be slid onto the body.Further, the body may include at least one tab disposed proximate thefirst end, and the at least one tab may be configured to be bent afterthe cover is slid onto the body to secure the cover in place.

In various embodiments, at least one of the body and the second endcomprises a shoulder against which the cover is engaged. The cover maybe held between the shoulder and the at least one tab to maintain atleast one of a position and an orientation of the cover relative to theretainer. In various embodiments, the first end defines an aperture forreceiving a torque bar bolt. In such embodiments, the aperture may be afirst aperture, the second end may comprise a flange, the flange maydefine a second aperture through which a torque bar pin of a torque baris configured to extend, and the flange may extend substantiallyperpendicular to the body such that the first aperture and the secondaperture lie in perpendicular planes. In various embodiments, the abovementioned shoulder is a first shoulder, and at least one of the body,the first end, and the second end of the retainer includes a secondshoulder configured to engage a torque bar to maintain at least one of aposition and an orientation of the retainer relative to the torque bar.

Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a wheelassembly. The wheel assembly may include an inboard wheel portion havinga rim and a disk. A radially inward surface of the rim and an inboardsurface of the disk may define a wheel well cavity configured to house abrake assembly. The wheel assembly may also include a torque bar (e.g.,a torque bar of the brake assembly) mounted to the inboard wheelportion. Further, the wheel assembly may include a retainer coupled tothe torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and theradially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion. Theretainer may include opposing longitudinal sides configured torespectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of asegmented annular heat shield. The wheel assembly may further include acover coupled to at least a portion of the retainer, with a first gap, asecond gap, and a third gap being defined between the torque bar and theradially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion. Invarious embodiments, the cover is disposed radially between the torquebar and the retainer, the first air gap is defined between the torquebar and the cover, the second air gap is defined between the cover andthe retainer, and the third air gap is defined between the retainer andthe radially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion.

Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a method ofassembling a wheel assembly. The method may include coupling a cover toa retainer, mounting a torque bar to an inboard wheel portion of thewheel assembly such that a retainer is disposed between the torque barand a radially inward surface of a rim of the inboard wheel portion. Themethod may further include engaging a lateral edge of a heat shieldsegment with the retainer. Coupling the cover to the retainer mayinclude sliding the cover over a body of the retainer and subsequentlybending at least one tab to secure the cover in place.

The forgoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated hereinotherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an aircraft having multiple landing gear, inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a brake assembly, in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wheel assembly, in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a retainer for a segmented annular heatshield, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a torque bar and a retainer for asegmented annular heat shield coupled to an inboard wheel portion of awheel assembly, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an axial view of a retainer, with a torque bar not shown,securing adjacent heat shield segments of a segmented annular heatshield, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a heat shield segment being installed betweenadjacent retainers, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a torque bar and a retainer disposedradially between the torque bar and a rim of an inboard wheel portion,in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method of assembling awheel assembly, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are various views of a cover coupled to aretainer for a segmented annular heat shield, in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 10 is an axial view of a cover coupled to a retainer, with a torquebar not shown, securing adjacent heat shield segments of a segmentedannular heat shield, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a torque bar, a retainer, and a coverfor the retainer disposed radially inward of a rim of an inboard wheelportion, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method of assembling awheel assembly, in accordance with various embodiments.

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical changes and adaptations in design andconstruction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and theteachings herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

As used herein, a first component that is “radially outward” of a secondcomponent means that the first component is positioned at a greaterdistance away from a common axis than the second component. A firstcomponent that is “radially inward” of a second component means that thefirst component is positioned closer to the common axis than the secondcomponent. In the case of components that rotate circumferentially abouta common axis, a first component that is radially inward of a secondcomponent rotates through a circumferentially shorter path than thesecond component. As used herein, “distal” refers to the directionoutward, or generally, away from a reference component. As used herein,“proximal” and/or “proximate” refer to a direction inward, or generally,towards the reference component.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments, anaircraft 10 includes landing gear, such as a left main landing gear 12,a right main landing gear 14, and nose landing gear 16. The left mainlanding gear 12, right main landing gear 14, and nose landing gear 16typically support the aircraft 10 when the aircraft 10 is not flying,thereby allowing the aircraft 10 to taxi, take off, and land withoutdamage. In various embodiments, the left main landing gear 12 includes afirst wheel 13A and a second wheel 13B coupled by an axle 20. In variousembodiments, the right main landing gear 14 includes a first wheel 15Aand a second wheel 15B coupled by an axle 22. In various embodiments,the nose landing gear 16 includes a first nose wheel 17A and a secondnose wheel 17B coupled by an axle 24. In various embodiments, theaircraft 10 comprises any number of landing gear(s), and each landinggear comprises any number of wheels. In various embodiments, the leftmain landing gear 12, right main landing gear 14, and nose landing gear16 are retracted when the aircraft 10 is in flight. In variousembodiments, one or more of the left main landing gear 12, right mainlanding gear 14, and nose landing gear 16 extends from an underside of afuselage 28 of the aircraft 10, or from an underside of the wings 30thereof.

In various embodiments, the aircraft 10 also includes a brake systemthat is applied to one or more of the wheels 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 17A,17B of one or more of the respective left main landing gear 12, rightmain landing gear 14, and/or nose landing gear 16. Such brake systems ofthe aircraft 10 typically comprise a collection of assemblies,subsystems, and/or units that produce output signals for controlling thebraking force and/or torque applied at one or more of the wheels 13A,13B, 15A, 15B, 17A, 17B. Such brake systems typically communicate withthe brakes of the left main landing gear 12, right main landing gear 14,and/or nose landing gear 16, and each brake is typically mounted to eachwheel 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 17A, 17B in order to apply and release brakingforces thereon. In various embodiments, the brakes of the aircraft 10further include a non-rotatable wheel support, the wheels 13A, 13B, 15A,15B, 17A, 17B mounted to the wheel support for rotation, and a brakedisk stack.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a brake assembly 110 for an aircraft, such asaircraft 10 of FIG. 1A, is provided, in accordance with variousembodiments. The brake assembly 110 interfaces with a bogie axle 112 anda wheel 114 (e.g., the wheels 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 17A, 17B of FIG. 1A)of the aircraft 10. The wheel 114 may include a hub 116, a disk 120(also referred to as a web portion of a wheel), and a rim 118 (alsoreferred to as a flange portion of a wheel). The wheel assembly and/orbrake assembly 110 generally includes a torque take-out assembly (alsoreferred to as a torque plate or a torque plate assembly) 122, one ormore torque bars 124, a wheel rotational axis 126, a wheel well cavity128, an actuator 130, multiple brake rotors 32, multiple brake stators34, a pressure plate 36, an end plate 38, a heat shield 140, multipletorque bar bolts 148, a torque bar pin 151, a torque bar retention slot152, multiple rotor lugs 154, and multiple stator slots 156, accordingto various embodiments.

Brake disks (e.g., the interleaved brake rotors 32 and brake stators 34)are disposed in the wheel well cavity 128 that is generally andcollectively defined by the rim 118, the disk 120, and the hub 116. Thebrake rotors 32 are typically secured to the torque bars 124, which arecoupled to the rim 118 of the wheel 114, for rotating with the wheel114. The brake stators 34 are typically engaged with the torque take-outassembly (e.g., torque plate assembly) 122. At least one actuator 130 istypically operable to compress the interleaved brake rotors 32 and brakestators 34 for stopping the aircraft 10 of FIG. 1A. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1B, the actuator 130 is shown as a hydraulically actuated piston,though electronically actuated pistons are contemplated herein. Thepressure plate 36 and end plate 38 are disposed at opposite ends of theinterleaved brake rotors 32 and brake stators 34.

Through compression of the brake rotors 32 and brake stators 34 betweenthe pressure plate 36 and end plate 38, the resulting frictional contactslows, stops, and/or prevents rotation of the wheel 114. The torquetake-out assembly 122 is typically secured to a stationary portion of alanding gear truck, such as a bogie beam or other landing gear strut,such that the torque take-out assembly 122 and brake stators 34 areprevented from rotating during braking of the aircraft 10 of FIG. 1A.The brake rotors 32 and brake stators 34 are typically fabricated fromvarious materials, such as, for example carbon materials. The brakedisks typically withstand and dissipate the heat generated from contactbetween the brake disks while braking the aircraft 10 of FIG. 1A.

According to various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 2, a wheelassembly 200, which may be similar to wheels 13A, 13B, 15A, 15B, 17A,17B of FIG. 1A, is provided. The wheel assembly 200 may be a split wheelassembly and thus may comprise an inboard wheel portion 201 and anoutboard wheel portion 202. Wheel portions 201, 202, for example, may bereferred to as wheel halves. The wheel assembly 200 may be implementedwith any landing gear of the aircraft 10 (e.g., any of the landing gearsmentioned above with reference to FIG. 1A), and the wheel assembly 200may be an inner/inboard wheel assembly or an outer/outboard assembly.Although numerous details are included herein pertaining to theimplementation of the wheel assembly 200 in an aircraft, one skilled inthe art will realize that a similar wheel assembly may be used in othervehicles, such as cars or motorcycles, and thus the scope of the presentdisclosure is not necessarily limited to aircraft wheel assemblies.

In various embodiments, inboard wheel portion 201 of wheel assembly 200comprises a hub 206, a disk 205, and a rim 204. Radially outward surfaceof the rim 204 may define a tube-well 203. That is, tube-well 203 may bedefined by respective flange sections of the inboard wheel portion 201and the outboard wheel portion 202. The rim 204/tube-well 203 may beconfigured to receive a tire and may form a seal with tire to allowpressurized air to inflate the tire. In various embodiments, the inboardwheel portion 201 also includes a radially outward extending lip 208located at an inboard end of the inboard wheel portion 201, and theoutboard wheel portion 202 may also include a similar radially outwardextending lip or rim 209 located at an outboard end of the outboardwheel portion 202.

In various embodiments, wheel assembly 200 includes tie bolts 207 thatextend through the disk 205 to hold together the wheel portions 201,202. Radially inward of, and generally defined by, the radially inwardsurface of the rim 204 is the wheel well cavity (e.g., 128 in FIG. 1B)where the brake assembly 110 is disposed. That is, the wheel well cavity128 (FIG. 1B) generally refers to the volume bound by the rim 204 andthe disk 205, according to various embodiments. The wheel assembly 200includes, according to various embodiments, one or more retainers 210and one or more torque bars 220. In FIG. 2, some of the torque bars 220are in order to clearly show the retainers 210. Generally, each retainer210 is disposed radially between a respective torque bar 220 and theradially inward surface of the rim 204, according to variousembodiments.

For example, an inboard end of each torque bar 220 may be mounted to therim 204 using a torque bar bolt 221 and an outboard end of each torquebar 220 may be mounted to the disk 205 via insertion of a torque bar pin222 into a torque bar retention slot 152 of the disk 205. Each retainer210 may be coupled to a respective torque bar 220, as described ingreater detail below. Generally, the retainers 210 may be configured toengage and secure heat shield segments, such as heat shield segments230A, 230B, 230C. That is, a plurality of heat shield segments 230A,230B, 230C collectively form a segmented annular heat shield, and eachof these segments 230A, 230B, 230C is held in place betweencircumferentially adjacent retainers 210, according to variousembodiments. Additionally, the retainers 210 may provide a heatshielding benefit, as described in greater detail below. In variousembodiments, the each heat shield segment 230A, 230B, 230C is alaminated, dimpled foil metallic heat shield.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 3, a perspective viewof the retainer 210 is provided. The retainer 210 may include a firstend 211, a second end 212 opposite the first end 211, and a body 215extending between the first end 211 and the second end 212. The body 215may include opposing longitudinal sides 217 that are configured torespectively engage and secure a respective heat shield of the segmentedannular heat shield. For example, each of the opposing longitudinalsides 217 of the body 215 of the retainer 210 may include/define agroove for receiving an edge of the respective heat shield segment.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the firstend 211 and the second end 212 of the retainer 210 are both configuredto be coupled to the wheel (rim 204 or disk 205) and/or the torque bar220. For example, the first end 211 of the retainer 210 may define afirst aperture 213 for receiving the torque bar bolt 221, and thus thetorque bar bolt 221 may extend through both the inboard end of thetorque bar and the first end 211 of the retainer 210. The second end 212of the retainer 210 may comprise a flange 216, and the flange 216 maydefine a second aperture 214 through which the torque bar pin 222 of thetorque bar 220 is inserted. That is, the second aperture 214 defined inthe flange 216 may fit around the torque bar pin 222 in order to securethe second end 212 relative to the torque bar 220. In variousembodiments, the flange extends radially inward. Accordingly, becausethe body 215 of the retainer 210 may extend substantially axially (e.g.,parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel assembly 200), the flange216 may be substantially perpendicular to the body 215, and thus thefirst aperture 213 and the second aperture 214 may lie in substantiallyperpendicular planes. In various embodiments, the retainer 210 alsoincludes a shoulder 218, which may be positioned at the first end 211,at the second end 212, or along the body 215, and the shoulder 218 maybe configured to engage the torque bar 220 in order to maintain theretainer 210 in a desired position and/or orientation relative to thetorque bar 220.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4, a view of theretainer 210 disposed between the torque bar 220 and the radially inwardsurface of the rim 204 of the inboard wheel portion 201 (FIG. 2) isprovided. In FIG. 2 the heat shield segments have yet to be installed,and further details pertaining to the installation/assembly method areprovided below with reference to FIG. 8. In various embodiments, thewheel assembly 200 may further include a torque bar spacer 240 coupledto an inboard end of the torque bar 220. The first end 211 of theretainer 210 may be compressed between the inboard end of the torque bar220 and the torque bar spacer 240 (compression may be produced via thepreloaded/tensioned torque bar bolt 221). The torque bar spacer 240 mayinclude one or more fasteners 241 for securing the respective heatshield segments to the inboard end of the torque bar 220. That is, inresponse to the individual heat shield segments being installed betweenadjacent retainer 210, the inboard edge of the heat shield segments maybe secured from sliding by coupling said segments to the torque barspacer 240 using fasteners 241.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 5, an axial-lookingview of the retainer 210 is provided, with adjacent heat shield segments230A, 230B being secured to the retainer 210. That is, correspondingedges of the heat shield segments 230A, 230B are received into thelongitudinal sides 217 (e.g., grooves) of the retainer 210, according tovarious embodiments. Engagement between the edges of the heat shieldsegments 230A, 230B and the longitudinal sides 217 of the retainer 210may be an interference fit. In FIG. 5, the torque bar is omitted inorder to clearly show the elements/features of the retainer 210. Thus,FIG. 5 shows how the aperture 214 defined in the flange 216 at thesecond end 212 of the retainer is aligned with the torque bar retentionslot 152 defined in the disk 205 (e.g., web) of the inboard wheelportion 201 (FIG. 2), according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, multipleheat shield segments 230A, 230B, 230C are provided, with one of the heatshield segments (230B) shown in a partially installed state. Morespecifically, FIGS. 6A and 6B, according to various embodiments, showhow the individual heat shield segments may be installed. With theretainers 210 and the torque bars 220 installed/mounted to the inboardwheel portion 201 (FIG. 2), the individual heat shield segments, such asheat shield segment 230B, may be aligned and engaged with thelongitudinal sides 217 of the circumferentially adjacent retainers 210and may be subsequently slid along the longitudinal sides 217 of theretainers 210 in an axially outboard direction until an outboard edge ofthe heat shield segment 230B is adjacent the disk 205 of the inboardwheel portion 201. Accordingly, the wheel assembly 200 may include aplurality of pairs of torque bars 220 and retainers 210, with each pairbeing circumferentially distributed around the radially inward surfaceof the rim 204 (FIG. 2) and with each heat shield segment of theplurality of heat shield segments 230A, 230B, 230C being disposed andsecured between circumferentially adjacent retainers 210.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 2, 6A, and 6B, theinboard edges 231A, 231B, 231C of the plurality of heat shield segments230A, 230B, 230C collectively form a chin ring of the wheel assembly.The chin ring may be hoop/ring that extends farther inboard (see FIG.6B) than the inboard lip 208 of the inboard wheel portion 201 of thewheel assembly 200. The chin ring may provide a thermal barrier toprevent heat radiation from reaching a tire disposed around the wheel inthe tube-well 203.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 7, a cross-section ofthe torque bar 220 and the retainer 210 is provided. In variousembodiments, a longitudinal axis of the retainer 210 may not be exactlyparallel with a longitudinal axis of the torque bar 220. Saiddifferently, the second end 212 of the retainer 210 may be radiallyinward of the first end 211. Such a configuration may be to ensureclearance between the second end 212 of the retainer 210 and the rim 204of the wheel. Further, such a configuration may promote convective heatflow out of the inboard side of the wheel. That is, hot airflow mayengage the angled/inclined surface of the retainer 210 and may bedirected inboard along the retainer 210 to escape the wheel cavity. Invarious embodiments, the retainer 210 may be oriented in a slightlyradially inward direction from the first end 211 to the second end 212in order to more securely engage the outboard ends of the heat shieldsegments. Further, the retainer 210 may, in addition to providing ameans for retaining the heat shield segments, function as a heat shieldby dividing the volume radially outward of the torque bar 220 into twovolumes. That is, the retainer 210 may define two air gaps 219A, 219Bbetween the torque bar 220 and the radially inward surface of the rim204.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 8, a schematic flowchart diagram of a method 890 of assembling a wheel assembly isprovided. The method 890 may include mounting a first torque bar to awheel with a first retainer disposed between the torque bar and thewheel at step 892. The method 890 may further include mounting a secondtorque bar to wheel with a second retainer disposed between the secondtorque bar and the wheel at step 894. Still further, the method 890 mayinclude engaging lateral edges of a heat shield segment with the firstretainer and the second retainer at step 896.

In various embodiments, steps 892 and 894 include radially positioningthe first and second retainers, respectively, between the respectivetorque bars and a radially inward surface of an inboard wheel portion ofthe wheel. In various embodiments, step 896 includes axially sliding, inan outboard direction, the heat shield segment between the firstretainer and the second retainer such that the lateral edges of thesegment slide through grooves respectively defined by the first retainerand the second retainer. In various embodiments, the method 890 furtherincludes, before step 892, inserting a torque bar pin of the firsttorque bar through an aperture defined in a flange at an end of thefirst retainer. In such embodiments, mounting the first torque bar tothe inboard wheel portion may comprise inserting the first torque barpin into a torque bar retention slot defined in a web of the inboardwheel portion of the wheel assembly.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D,a cover 250 for the retainer 210 is provided. Generally, the cover 250provides additional thermal/heat protection by defining an additionalair gap 259 between the retainer 210 and the cover 250. In variousembodiments, the cover 250 is coupled to the retainer 210. The cover 250may be coupled to and may extend over at least the body 215 of theretainer 210, and thus the cover 250 and the retainer 210 together mayimprove the thermal protection of the wheel assembly by inhibiting heattransfer through the retainer 210 and cover 250.

In various embodiments, the cover 250 is detachably coupled to the body215 of the retainer 210, and thus once installed may be generallydisposed between the first end 211 and the second 212 of the retainer210. For example, the cover 250 may be configured to slide over/onto thebody 215 of the retainer 210. The cover 250 may have opposinglongitudinal edges 257 that respectively wrap around and are disposedwithin the groove 217 of the opposing longitudinal sides of the retainer210. Thus, the opposing longitudinal edges 257 of the cover 250 may bereferred to herein as wrap-around edges 257, and these wrap-around edges257 may be slid into engagement with the opposing longitudinal sides 217of the retainer 210.

In various embodiments, the body 215 of the retainer 210 includes atleast one tab 251, disposed proximate the first end 211 of the retainer210, that is configured to be bent or otherwise plastically deformedafter the cover 250 has been slid onto the body 215 of the retainer 210,thereby securing the cover 250 in place. Further, the body 215 and/orthe second end 212 of the retainer 210 may also include a shoulder 258against which the cover 250 engages such that the cover 250 is held inplace between the shoulder 258 and the at least one tab 251 to maintainat least one of a position and an orientation of the cover 250 relativeto the retainer 210. This shoulder 258, according to variousembodiments, is different than above mentioned shoulder 218. That is,shoulder 258 may be a first shoulder, and shoulder 218 may be a secondshoulder.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 10, an axial-lookingview of the retainer 210 and cover 250 is provided, with adjacent heatshield segments 230A, 230B being secured to the retainer 210. In FIG.10, the torque bar 220 is omitted in order to clearly show theelements/features of the retainer 210 and the cover 250. Correspondingedges of the heat shield segments 230A, 230B are received into thelongitudinal sides 217 (e.g., grooves) of the retainer 210, according tovarious embodiments. Engagement between the edges of the heat shieldsegments 230A, 230B and the longitudinal sides 217 of the retainer 210may be an interference fit. In various embodiments, the wrap-aroundedges 257 of the cover 250 are disposed in the grooves 217, and thus thewrap-around edges 257 of the cover 250 may contact the correspondingedges of the heat shield segments. Accordingly, thecompression/interference fit of the edges of the heat shield segments230A, 230B may be caused by direct contact between a surface of thegrooves 217 of the retainer 210 and the wrap-around edges 257 of thecover 250. In various embodiments, the cover 250 is disposed radiallyinward of the retainer 210.

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 11, a cross-sectionof the torque bar 220, the cover 250, and the retainer 210 is provided.The inclusion of the cover 250 may, as mentioned above, inhibit heattransfer through the area radially outward of the torque bar 220 bydefining an extra air gap. That is, the volume radially outward of thetorque bar 220 may be divided into three air gaps. For example, a firstair gap 219A may be defined between the torque bar 220 and the cover250, a second air gap 259 may be defined between the cover 250 and theretainer 210, and a third air gap 219B may be defined between theretainer 210 and the radially inward surface of the rim 204 of theinboard wheel portion 201 (FIG. 2).

In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 12, a schematic flowchart diagram of a method 990 of assembling a wheel assembly isprovided. The method 990 may include coupling a cover to a retainer atstep 992 and mounting a torque bar to a wheel, with the retainerdisposed between the torque bar and the wheel at step 994. The method990 may further include engaging a lateral edge of a heat shield segmentwith the retainer at step 996. Three air gaps (e.g., a first air gap, asecond air gap, and a third air gap) may be defined between the torquebar and the wheel.

In various embodiments, step 994 includes mounting the torque bar to aninboard wheel portion of the wheel assembly such that the retainer isdisposed between the torque bar and a radially inward surface of a rimof the inboard wheel portion. In various embodiments, step 992 of themethod 990 includes sliding the cover over a body of the retainer andsubsequently bending at least one tab to secure the cover in place.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure.

The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothingother than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly sostated, but rather “one or more.” It is to be understood that unlessspecifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and/or “the” mayinclude one or more than one and that reference to an item in thesingular may also include the item in the plural. All ranges and ratiolimits disclosed herein may be combined.

Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, and C” isused in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted tomean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may bepresent in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, orthat any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in asingle embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and Band C.

Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, coupled or the likemay include permanent (e.g., integral), removable, temporary, partial,full, and/or any other possible attachment option. Differentcross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different partsbut not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may beexecuted in any order and are not necessarily limited to the orderpresented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes pluralembodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step mayinclude a singular embodiment or step. Elements and steps in the figuresare illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beenrendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps thatmay be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated inthe figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may includepermanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possibleattachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (orsimilar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts or areas but not necessarily to denote the same ordifferent materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may bespecific to each figure.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f)unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” Asused herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retainer for a segmented annular heat shield ofa wheel, the retainer comprising: a first end; a second end opposite thefirst end, wherein both the first end and the second end are configuredto be coupled to at least one of the wheel and a torque bar; a bodyextending between the first end and the second end, the body comprisingopposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and securea respective heat shield segment of the segmented annular heat shield,wherein each of the opposing longitudinal sides comprises a groove forreceiving an edge of the respective heat shield segment; and a covercoupled to and extending over at least the body, wherein an air gap isdefined between the body and the cover, wherein the cover comprisesopposing longitudinal edges that respectively wrap around and aredisposed within the groove.
 2. The retainer of claim 1, wherein thecover is detachably coupled to the body and thus extends between thefirst end and the second end.
 3. The retainer of claim 2, wherein thecover is configured to slide onto the body.
 4. The retainer of claim 3,wherein the body comprises at least one tab, disposed proximate thefirst end, configured to be bent after the cover is slid onto the bodyto secure the cover in place.
 5. A wheel assembly comprising: an inboardwheel portion comprising a rim and a disk, wherein a radially inwardsurface of the rim and an inboard surface of the disk define a wheelwell cavity configured to house a brake assembly; a torque bar of thebrake assembly mounted to the inboard wheel portion; a retainer coupledto the torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and theradially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion, theretainer comprising opposing longitudinal sides configured torespectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of asegmented annular heat shield; and a cover coupled to at least a portionof the retainer, wherein the cover is disposed radially between thetorque bar and the retainer; wherein a first air gap, a second air gap,and a third air gap are defined between the torque bar and the radiallyinward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion, wherein thefirst air gap is defined between the torque bar and the cover, whereinthe second air gap is defined between the cover and the retainer,wherein the third air gap is defined between the retainer and theradially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion.
 6. Thewheel assembly of claim 5, each of the opposing longitudinal sides ofthe retainer comprises a groove for receiving an edge of the respectiveheat shield segment.
 7. The wheel assembly of claim 6, wherein the covercomprises opposing longitudinal edges that respectively wrap around andare disposed within the groove.
 8. The wheel assembly of claim 5,wherein the cover is detachably coupled to the retainer.
 9. The wheelassembly of claim 8, wherein: the retainer comprises a first end, asecond end opposite the first end, and a body extending between thefirst end and the second end; the cover is configured to slide onto thebody; and the body comprises at least one tab, disposed proximate thefirst end, configured to be bent after the cover is slid onto the bodyto secure the cover in place.
 10. The wheel assembly of claim 9, whereinat least one of the body and the second end comprises a shoulder againstwhich the cover is engaged, wherein the cover is held between theshoulder and the at least one tab to maintain at least one of a positionand an orientation of the cover relative to the retainer.
 11. The wheelassembly of claim 10, wherein the shoulder is a first shoulder, whereinat least one of the body, the first end, and the second end comprises asecond shoulder configured to engage the torque bar to maintain at leastone of a position and an orientation of the retainer relative to thetorque bar.
 12. A method of assembling a wheel assembly, the methodcomprising: coupling a cover to a retainer, wherein coupling the coverto the retainer comprises sliding the cover over a body of the retainerand subsequently bending at least one tab to secure the cover in place;mounting a torque bar to an inboard wheel portion of the wheel assemblysuch that the retainer is disposed between the torque bar and a radiallyinward surface of a rim of the inboard wheel portion; and engaging alateral edge of a heat shield segment with the retainer; wherein a firstair gap, a second air gap, and a third air gap are defined between thetorque bar and the radially inward surface of the rim of the inboardwheel portion.
 13. A retainer for a segmented annular heat shield of awheel, the retainer comprising: a first end; a second end opposite thefirst end, wherein both the first end and the second end are configuredto be coupled to at least one of the wheel and a torque bar; a bodyextending between the first end and the second end, the body comprisingopposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and securea respective heat shield segment of the segmented annular heat shield;and a cover coupled to and extending over at least the body, wherein anair gap is defined between the body and the cover, wherein the cover isdetachably coupled to the body and thus extends between the first endand the second end, wherein the cover is configured to slide onto thebody, wherein the body comprises at least one tab, disposed proximatethe first end, configured to be bent after the cover is slid onto thebody to secure the cover in place, wherein at least one of the body andthe second end comprises a shoulder against which the cover is engaged,wherein the cover is held between the shoulder and the at least one tabto maintain at least one of a position and an orientation of the coverrelative to the retainer.
 14. The retainer of claim 13, wherein thefirst end defines an aperture for receiving a torque bar bolt.
 15. Theretainer of claim 14, wherein: the aperture is a first aperture; thesecond end comprises a flange; the flange defines a second aperturethrough which a torque bar pin of the torque bar is configured toextend; and the flange extends substantially perpendicular to the bodysuch that the first aperture and the second aperture lie inperpendicular planes.
 16. The retainer of claim 13, wherein the shoulderis a first shoulder, wherein at least one of the body, the first end,and the second end comprises a second shoulder configured to engage thetorque bar to maintain at least one of a position and an orientation ofthe retainer relative to the torque bar.